As a long time resident of the Netherlands but coming from a mountainous country, you start to miss the direct contact with the mountains. So for a change I decided to give it a go at the "highest point in the Netherlands" the impressive Vaalserberg.

Hiking in the Netherlands in the fall provides you with an additional bonus: the fantastic range colours that the landscape offers and even as it was a cloudy day the scenery was really nice.

The route from up from the town of Vaals is pretty straight forward - just follow the signs to the "drielandenpunt", at some point half way up (that’s about 10min after you start walking) there is a path to your left that takes you away from the main road. Follow this path to the top.

The “summit” is very easy to find- you just cannot miss the big monument with a carved stone sign that reads “This is the Netherlands highest point- 321.5 m above sea level”. You can then relax and just enjoy a nice coffee in the café next door or if you please you can take one of the many paths in the area and enjoy a nice afternoon of hiking (attractions include a couple of castles, a outdoor chapel, and some nice, quiet woods).

Animals are scarce in the area (or they prefer to appear that way), however I did spot some interesting variety of birds and off course you can’t miss the ever present Dutch cow.

All and all, a nice easy climb for the whole family, where you join become part of the select club of people who have climbed this – the highest point in the Netherlands.

Not knowing what to expect when climbing Netherlands "highest peak" but certainly didn't expect much. It was a beautiful day and the rather dreary, industrialised flatness of Holland didn't keep my attention for long on the train ride from Den Haag to Maastricht and apart from the changes at Rotterdam and Sittard I mainly slept (admittedly not the finest of Dutch scenery). Taking a bus in the evening sunshine to Vaals from Maastricht and then began the steep climb through the village. The hills of Limburg were a pleasure after such flatness and it was certainly attractive farming country. Stopping for a sardine sandwich (I'd not eaten all day), I soon after came to the end of the village and a trail through the woods. Before long (infact well before long), I'd reached the summit and set out my bed on the picnic table in a summit clearing. A light mist laid over the farmland north and with balloons passing over it was a wonderful place to be at sunset. I slept peacefully, especially after the sound of drunken youths had passed away from the nearby road. Well worth the effort!